Today’s top developments show a region juggling three big forces at once: energy security, political volatility, and the rewiring of trade and technology rules.

A fresh gas discovery in the Philippines feeds diversification hopes, while India and the EU push harder for a major trade deal in a world that’s getting more tariff-happy.

Meanwhile, politics is sharpening across Southeast Asia—from the Philippines’ high-stakes leadership clash to Vietnam’s power consolidation—while governments tighten their grip on risky AI content, and Thailand’s tourism story faces a tougher, more competitive chapter.

Here are the ten stories that matter most right now—tight, clear, and built to keep you ahead of the curve.